Spamalot
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
19th to 22nd October 2016
Leigh Operatic & Dramatic Society
Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea
19th to 22nd October 2016
Director and choreographer, Sallie Warrington, has no hesitation in admitting that she loves working with Leigh Operatic and Dramatic Society having enjoyed directing numerous shows with the group, including Footloose and The Addams Family. However, I’m sure that Sallie will be the first to admit that the taking on of the iconic Monty Python production, Spamalot is, as the Python stars would say, “something completely different”.
“This is definitely not your traditional song and dance based show,” says Sallie, who happens to be a huge Monty Python fan. “I saw the show in the West End and I thought it was so funny. I was really pleased to have the opportunity to direct it.” She adds, “The company are great and it’s been fairly easy to direct in part - well, there’s not exactly a lot of depth to it story-wise, let’s be honest; but what I do have to remember is that it’s iconic Monty Python and it’s important to stay true to that.” Fortunately for Sallie, the cast are all huge Python fans too and understand the specific kind of humour needed for the show.
“The story is completely insane and so the cast can’t have any inhibitions performing their roles,” Sallie explains with a smile.
Spamalot, lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features fantastic tunes including the 'Nation’s Favourite Comedy Song', Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
“This is definitely not your traditional song and dance based show,” says Sallie, who happens to be a huge Monty Python fan. “I saw the show in the West End and I thought it was so funny. I was really pleased to have the opportunity to direct it.” She adds, “The company are great and it’s been fairly easy to direct in part - well, there’s not exactly a lot of depth to it story-wise, let’s be honest; but what I do have to remember is that it’s iconic Monty Python and it’s important to stay true to that.” Fortunately for Sallie, the cast are all huge Python fans too and understand the specific kind of humour needed for the show.
“The story is completely insane and so the cast can’t have any inhibitions performing their roles,” Sallie explains with a smile.
Spamalot, lovingly ripped off from the classic film comedy Monty Python and the Holy Grail, tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table and features a bevy (or possibly a brace) of beautiful show girls, cows, killer rabbits and French people. The show features fantastic tunes including the 'Nation’s Favourite Comedy Song', Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life.
With such a zany script to direct, Sallie certainly has her work cut out but she is full of praise for her cast and in particular Neil Lands, who is playing King Arthur who is hardly off the stage throughout the show.
“I’ve worked with Neil before on The Addams Family and he is brilliant. Whenever he takes on a role, he lives and breathes the part - he’s very committed to getting it right.”
Neil is thrilled to be playing King Arthur. He says, “I saw Tim Curry play King Arthur in the West End and he also played the part of Gomez who I played in The Addams Family - so I’m kind of following in his footsteps.” He adds with a grin, “I just need to play Frank n’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show next!”
Neil tells me that rehearsals have been a lot of fun. “It’s lovely to be partnering up with Helen Sharpe again who's the Lady of the Lake, especially after we played opposite each other as Gomez and Morticia in The Addams Family. It’s also been great doing stuff on stage with the lads who are playing the Knights. I think being a big Monty Python fan helps because you understand the silliness of it all. The comedy in this show is wonderful.”
“I’ve worked with Neil before on The Addams Family and he is brilliant. Whenever he takes on a role, he lives and breathes the part - he’s very committed to getting it right.”
Neil is thrilled to be playing King Arthur. He says, “I saw Tim Curry play King Arthur in the West End and he also played the part of Gomez who I played in The Addams Family - so I’m kind of following in his footsteps.” He adds with a grin, “I just need to play Frank n’ Furter in The Rocky Horror Show next!”
Neil tells me that rehearsals have been a lot of fun. “It’s lovely to be partnering up with Helen Sharpe again who's the Lady of the Lake, especially after we played opposite each other as Gomez and Morticia in The Addams Family. It’s also been great doing stuff on stage with the lads who are playing the Knights. I think being a big Monty Python fan helps because you understand the silliness of it all. The comedy in this show is wonderful.”
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Helen Sharpe, is back on stage in the coveted Lady of the Lake role, after directing LODS’ last show, Made in Dagenham.
She says, “There’s a fabulous song I get to sing called Find Your Grail, which is a challenge but I’ll certainly be giving it my all in the show,” she assures me. “I’m still working on perfecting the part though, as I still feel that I’m not quite there yet”. Helen is most definitely being rather modest here, as watching her in rehearsal belting out some seriously high notes, there’s no doubt in my mind that she will be wowing audiences come show week. Helen tells me that she has seen all of the Python films which has given her a huge understanding of the humour and adds, “Singing and comedy are my favourite things!” |
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Looking towards show week, Sallie enthuses, “I’ve got a great company and MD in Rachael Plunkett; and also a fantastic technical crew on this production - it’s going to be lots of fun!”
For tickets to see Spamalot go online to southendtheatres.com or call the box office on 01702 351135
For tickets to see Spamalot go online to southendtheatres.com or call the box office on 01702 351135
Click on the photos to see slide show of the cast in rehearsal
Photo credits: Kim Tobin